How to Make Your Own DIY Quail Feed: Homemade Recipe

Inside: If you have quail, you know that finding feed can be difficult. But did you know you can make your own homemade quail feed right at home?

If you're a quail farmer, or even if you just have a few quail as backyard pets, you know that finding the perfect feed can be difficult. But what if we told you that you could make your own homemade quail feed right at home? A feed that will still give you healthy quail, fresh eggs, and strong eggshells that your game birds are going to love.

bird feed with Homemade Quail Feed text overlay

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Table of Contents

Homemade Quail Feed

We'll show you how to do just that. With a “few simple” ingredients, you can create a nutritious and delicious quail feed that will keep your birds healthy and happy.

I am not an expert, not a vet, I am not going to guarantee this for your quail. But it is an option for feeding your birds. I do buy feed at this time for all of our birds.

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To make quail food, the ingredients should contain protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, and minerals.

Granivores have a diet that consists mainly of grains and seeds. However, this does not mean that they won’t eat the kind of things that most birds enjoy, like bugs, worms, and plant matter.

Why Make Your Own Quail Feed?

Creating homemade feed gives you full control over proper nutrition while avoiding unnecessary additives and fillers. A well-balanced mix ensures your quail maintains optimal health, avoid health issues, and lay eggs consistently. It also allows you to adjust the feed based on their protein needs, especially since small birds like Coturnix quail have higher energy demands.

2 pharaoh quail and a white quail in a cage

Key Nutritional Requirements for Coturnix Quail

A high-quality quail feed should include:

Protein: Essential for growth and egg production; quail require at least 24-30% protein in their diet. Sources include fish meal, soybean meal, and insects.
Carbohydrates: Provide energy for daily activities and egg-laying. Corn, millet, and wheat are good sources.
Fats: Necessary for metabolism and maintaining body heat. Seeds and fish oil are great additions.
Vitamins and Minerals: Calcium, phosphorus, and essential amino acids support egg production and body weight. Crushed eggshells or oyster shells provide a natural calcium boost.
Grit: Helps quail digest their food properly and prevents health issues related to digestion.

Homemade Quail Feed Recipes

I found two different recipes you are welcome to try. I think both of these options are probably more to make than buying a bag of feed from your local feed supply store. Personally, we have NOT made our own feed like this, and I have no plans to do so at this point because I like the ease of going to my local feed supplier.

Option #1:

24-26% Protein (Soybean meal, mealworms, or fish meal)
40% Carbohydrates (Wheat, oats, barley)
8-12% Fats (Sesame seeds, flaxseed)
12-15% Calcium (Oyster shell, limestone powder)
5-10% Grit (Fine sand, crushed shells)

The Coturnix quail is a versatile and delicious bird that can be raised for both meat and eggs. This ebook will teach you everything you need to know about raising these amazing animals, from feeding and housing to health and care. You’ll learn how to get the most out of your Coturnix quail, and enjoy the many benefits they have to offer.

Option #2:

30% Protein (Fish meal, soybean meal, or dried insects)
40% Carbohydrates (Ground corn, wheat, or millet)
10% Fats (black oil sunflower seeds, flaxseeds)
10% Vitamins & Minerals (Oyster shells, crushed eggshells, and mineral supplements)
10% Grit (Crushed granite or fine sand)

Other Options for Homemade Quail Feed

These are both ways to help reduce the cost of feeding your quail, not by any means a way to remove having a feed in their diet.

Growing fodder is another great way to create your own source of food for your quail. It is low cost because you can grow it from just about anything. You'll want to have a good setup where you consistently have fodder on hand for your birds.

Mealworm farming is another way to have a feed supply for your birds. You can Google how to do this. My oldest gave this a try but we didn't stick with it for long.

Tips for Successful Feeding

Monitor Body Weight: Adjust protein levels to prevent obesity or malnutrition.
Ensure Proper Nutrition: Avoid processed fillers that lack nutrients.
Observe Egg Production: If quail stop laying, they may need more protein or calcium.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Spoiled or moldy feed can cause serious health issues.
Supplement When Needed: Seasonal changes may require diet adjustments for small birds to stay healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Quail Food

What should you not feed quail? Avoid potatoes and especially raw potatoes/potato peels. Also onions, turnip, rutabaga, asparagus, meat, garlic, and cheese. Citrus fruits are also to be avoided. Quail will usually avoid eating things that are bad for them, but avoid tempting them to try.

What do quail like to eat the most? They enjoy a variety of foods, including cucumbers, commercial feed, earthworms, mealworms, and clovers are always a big hit. It may take time for them to adjust to new foods, but providing a diverse diet keeps them happy.

How much food do quail eat per day? An adult quail will eat between 14 g and 18 g of feed per day.